Introduction
The Miracle of Christmas / 3
Jonathan V. Last
Chapter 1: The Christmas Spirit
In Defense of Ebenezer Scrooge / 15
Rob Long
Chapter 2: The Commercialization of Christmas
God Moves (the Merchandise) in a Mysterious Way / 23
P. J. O’Rourke
Chapter 3: Season’s Greetings!
Ten Simple Rules for Sending Christmas Cards / 33
Joe Queenan
Chapter 4: Jingle Bell Rock
Taking the Christ Out of Christmas Songs / 45
Andrew Ferguson
Chapter 5: Oh, Tannenbaum
A Tradition Unlike Any Other / 54
Christopher Caldwell
Chapter 6: The Nativity Stories
The Best (and Worst) Christmas Movies Ever / 62
Sonny Bunch
Chapter 7: Home for the Holidays
The Trials and Tribulations of Family / 70
Matt Labash
Chapter 8: Saint Nicholas: Friend or Foe?
A Document Dump from Santa’s Secret Email Server / 83
David “Iowahawk” Burge
Chapter 9: All Good Gifts
Tickle Me Elmo and the Madness of Christmas Toys / 99
Heather Wilhelm
Chapter 10: Here Comes Santa Claus
The Wonder of Christmas Morning / 108
Stephen F. Hayes
Chapter 11: The Ghosts of Christmas
Holidays Past and Present / 117
Toby Young
Chapter 12: The War on Christmas
It’s Real, and It’s Spectacular / 125
Jonah Goldberg
Chapter 13: Jews Who Love Christmas
We All Love Christmas Magic / 135
Larry Miller
Chapter 14: I’m Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas
Celebrating a Day You Don’t Really Share / 146
Joseph Epstein
Chapter 15: The Greatest of These Is Hope
The Impossible Promises of Christmas / 155
Michael Graham
Chapter 16: Saint Joseph
The Forgotten “Father Christmas” / 163
Christopher Buckley
Chapter 17: Mary, Mother of All
The Real Miracles of the Virgin Birth Aren’t What You Think / 171
Mollie Hemingway
Chapter 18: The First Noel
Christmas with Jesus / 180
Kirsten Powers
Chapter 19: The Day After
The Illusion of Returning to Normal / 189
James Lileks
About the Contributors / 199